Catch-cover package and method of manufacture



G. c. SPARKS 3,282,413

CATCH-COVER PACKAGE AND METHOD OF MANUFACTURE Nov. 1, 1966 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Sept. 22, 1965 INVENTOR. G50/P65 C SPAR/(5 BY MaJ/1m CATCH-COVER PACKAGE AND METHOD OF MANUFACTURE Filed Sept. 22, 1965 G. C. SPARKS Nov. 1, 1966 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 vG50/@6,5 c. SPAR/fs United States Patent Otice 3,232,413 Fatented Nov. 1, 19%5 3,282,413 CATCH-COVER PACKAGE AlNTI) METHOD GF MANUFACTURE Geerge C. Sparks, 101 Rorer St., Erdenheim, Pa. Fiied ept. 22, 1965, Ser. No. 495,756 8 Claims. (Cl. 296-56) This invention constitutes an improvement over that disclosed in my copending patent application, Serial No. 349,287, filed March 4, 1964, now abandoned, and this application is a continuation-in-part thereof.

This invention relates generally to packaging, and is especially concerned with unique improvements in catchcover packages and methods of manufacture.

As is well known to those versed in the art, catch-cover packages have heretofore required the formation of a fold and securement thereof, as by a staple, or the like, to provide a catch for removable retention of the cover in closed condition.

It is an important object of the present invention to provide a highly improved catch-cover package and method of manufacturing the same wherein the secured fold and incident manufacturing procedures are eliminated, to provide a highly effective and attractive catch-cover package in a simpler, more efficient and economical manner.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a catch-cover package and method of manufacture of the type described in the preceding paragraph which may he automatically and economically mass-produced with relatively sirnple and inexpensive equipment.

It is still a further object of the present invention to provide a catch-cover package of the type described which is neat and esthetically appealing in appearance, eliminating the relatively bulky fold and exposed fastener of prior catch-cover packages, and which is uniquely well adapted for packaging of pharmaceuticals, as well as many other articles of contents.

Other objects of the present invention will become apparent upon reading the following specification and referring to the accompanyin-g drawings, which form a material part of this disclosure.

The invention accordingly consists in the features of construction, combinations of elements, and arrangements of parts, which will be exemplied in the construction hereinafter described, and of which the scope will be indicated by the ap-pended claims.

In the drawings:

FIGURE l is an exploded perspective view showing the various components of a catch-cover package constructed in accordance with the teachings of the present invention and illustrating the manner of assembly;

FIGURE 2 is a perspective view illustrating an assembled catch-cover package of the present invention;

FIGURE 3 is a sectional view taken generally along the line 3 3 of FIGURE 2, somewhat enlarged, and illustrating the catch cover in open condition in dot-and-dash outline;

FIGURE 4 is a diagrammatic plan view illustrating a method according to the present invention; and

FIGURE 5 is a sectional elevational view taken generally along the line 5 5 of FIGURE 4.

Referring now more particularly to the drawings, and specifically to FIGURES 2 and 3, a catch-cover package is there generally designated 1t). The package includes a main sheet 11 which may he fabricated of stiff iiexible paperboard, or other suitable material, and is of generally rectangular-outline conguration, as best seen in FIGURE l.

The sheet 11 includes a pair of generally -parallel side edges 12, and opposite end edges 13 extending in parallelism with each other between opposite ends of the side edges 12.

Extending in parallelism with and in spaced relation between the opposite edges 13 is a fold or crease 14, which may subdivide the main sheet 11 into a pair of generally rectangular panels 15 and 16. The panel -15 may be considered as the back panel of the completed package, and the panel 16 as the front panel thereof, the latter panel being somewhat smaller than the front panel. Further, the back panel may be formed with one or more thru openings 17, defining discharge openings or outlets in the assembled package, as will appear more fully hereinafter.

In addition to the relatively large main sheet 11, there is provided a relatively small auxiliary sheet 2d, which may be of elongate configuration as seen in FIGURES 1 and 2. The auxiliary sheet 20 may be of a length substantially equal to the width of main sheet 11, as along an edge 13, and may be fabricated of suitably stiff, resilient paperboard, or other desired material.

In assembly, the auxiliary sheet 213 is arranged in facing relation with the back panel 15 of main sheet 11 extending along the edge 13 thereof. In particular, one longitudinal edge 21 of auxiliary sheet 20 is arranged outwardly, being coextensive and substantially coincident with the adjacent edge 13 of main sheet 11. The end edges 22 -of auxiliary sheet 20 are thus coincident with respective side edges 12 of panel 15, and the inner longitudinal edge 23 of the auxiliary sheet is spaced inward from the adjacent edge 13 by the width of the auxiliary sheet.

One of the facing surfaces of either main sheet 11 or auxiliary sheet 20 is advantageously coated with a suitable heat-scalable material or thermoplastic film. Thus, as seen in FIGURE 3, the facing surface of auxiliary sheet 20 may -be provided with a thermoplastic coating or iilrn 25, which may be substantially coextensive with the auxiliary sheet.

The auxiliary sheet 20 is adhesively secured in its facing relation with the main sheet 11 by the thermoplastic material 25. In particular, the thermoplastic material 25 is activated, as by heat, longitudinally along the outer edge 21 to adhesively secure the marginal portion thereof in facing engagement with the adjacent portion of back panel 15. The remainder of auxiliary sheet 20, namely the marginal portion along edge 23, remains free of the back panel 15. It will now he appreciated that the front panel 16 may be swung forwardly about the fold 14 a-nd flexed to engage its edge 13 between the free marginal edge 23 of auxiliary sheet 26 and the back panel, Where it will be self-retaining in the closed condition.

Carried by the main sheet 11 may be container means, such as generally designated 23 in FIGURE 3, for carrying articles of contents. The container means may include a generally fiat sandwich sheet 29, which may advantageously be fabricated of transparent plastic material and provided with one or more pocketlike formations 3d for receiving articles of contents 31. Extending across and in closing relation with respect to the pockets 3@ may be a closure sheet 32, preferably of rupturable material, such as aluminum foil, or the like. The closure sheet 32 may be suitably secured in facing engagement with the sandwich sheet 29 to hermetically seal the contents 31 in the pockets 3G.

In assembly with the sheets 11 and 20, the sandwich sheet 29 is located on the forward side of the back panel 15, in facing relation therewith, the pockets 30 being advantageously in 4respective alignment with discharge openings 17. The closure sheet 32 is located between the sandwich sheet 29 and back panel 15, and therefore extends across both the pockets Sil and discharge outlets 17 Securing the sandwich sheet 29, contents 31 and closure sheet 32 in the above-described position on the panel 15 is a cover sheet 33 overly-ing the front surface o-f sandwich sheet 29 and having thru openings 34 respectively receiving forwardly protruding pocket-s or blisters 30. The cover sheet 33 lmay be dimensioned to extend beyond .the sandwich sheet 29 and closure sheet 32 entirely thereabout, so as to have its peripheral margin in direct facing relation with the back panel 15. Furth-er, the rear surface of cover sheet 33 may be coated with thermoplastic 35, or other suitable adhesive material for securement of the cover sheet in firm facing engagement with the back panell 15. Of course, the back panel may optionally be provided with a heat-scalable coat-ing on its forward surface for securement to the cover sheet 33, and to the closure sheet 32, if desired.

In the method of manufacture, the several component parts .as described hereinbefore may be stacked or superp-osed as illustrated in FIGURE 1 and secured together, as under pressure and heat. The panel 16 may then be swung about its fold 14 and closed, as described hereinbefore, being removable from its closed condition to a partially openconditi-on shown in dot-and-dash outline in FIGURE 3. Of course, further upward swinging of the panel 16 serves to fully open the package. The contents 31 may be readily removed by rupture of the closure sheet 32 and passage of the contents through openings 17.

The method of the present invention is shown in greater detail in yFIGURES 4 and 5. An elongate web 50, of flexible sheet material, such as thermoplastic-coated card stock, is fed in the direction of arrow 51, passing initially through station A, where it is formed with a pair of laterally spaced, longitudinally extending lines of weakening 52, as by scoring or perforation. rIhe web 50 passes thence through station B, where it is provided with at least a pair of thru openings 53, each located adjacent to and inward of -a respective score line 52. The web 56 passes thence through station C, wherein an article of contents 54 is located on the web over each opening or hole 53. The articles 54- may each be a prepaokaged pill, capsule or the like, sealed in sandwiched relation between a transparent cupped sheet, and a rupturable closure sheet, in the manner of t-he container means previously described.

From the stat-ion C, the scored and punched web 50, lcarrying the container means 54, passes to the station D, wherein retainer webs 55 are arrange-d overlying the container means 54, and advantageously having thru openings 56 exposing therethrough the container means. The retainer webs 55 extend longitudinally along the carrier web 50, each adjacent to and inward of a respective score line 52 and in side-by-side spaced relation with respect to each other. In addition, also at the station D, or another station, if desired, an `auxiliary sheet or web 57 may be arranged longitudinally on a medial region of the web 59, interposed between the retainer Webs 55. If desired, the retainer webs 55 4and lauxiliary web 57 may be formed from a s-ingle web, being longitudinal-ly severed and arranged in edge-toed-ge relation with each other.

From station D, the web goes to station E, at which the retainer webs and auxiliary web 57 are adhesively secured to the carrier web 5t), as .at 58 and 59, respectively. Such securement may b-e'efected by heat and pressure to activate the thermoplastic coating of web 50 at desired regio-ns thereof. More specifically, the retainer webs 55 may be secured at 58 to the carrier web 50 at locations surrounding the container means 54, while the auxiliaryweb securement `59 extends along a longitudinal medial region of the auxiliary web.V

In the above-described secured relationship, the web 50 and its appendages are conveyed to station F, at which severance is made along .a line or cut 60 extending medially of the auxiliary-sheet securement 59. This severance or cut 60 passes simultaneously through both the auxiliary Web `or sheet 57 and nether carrier sheet 50, thereby leaving separate portions 61 of the auxiliary sheet or web 57 secured to separate portions 62 of the web 50. Further, the inner edges of the auxiliary-sheet portions 61 overlie .and are free of the net hl' por-tions of sheet 62. In this longitudinally medially severed condition, the web portions 62 and appendages may pass through station G, where they are further severed, as along cuts or lines 6-3 extending transversely of or norm-al to the severance 60. 'It will now be appreciated that the resultant produ-cts define catch-cover packages similar to that describe-.d in FIG- URES 1-3, requiring only that the cover sheet be folded along score 52 with its free edge insertable bene-ath the free edge of the associated auxiliary sheet 61.

From the foregoing, it is seen that the present invention provides a catch-cover package and method of manufacture which fully accomplish their intended objects and are well `adapted to meet practical conditions of manufacture, distribution and use.

Although the present invention has been described in some detail by way o-f illustration and example for purposes of clarity ofY understanding, it is understood that certain changes and modications may be made within the spi-rit of the invention and scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A catch-cover package comprising a relatively large generally rectangular main sheet having opposite edges, a relatively small elongate auxiliary sheet extending entirely along one of said opposite edges in facing engagement with said main sheet, adhesive means adhesively securing the outer longitudinal edge margin of said auxiliary sheet to said main sheet, the inner 4longitudinal edge of said auxiliary sheet being entirely free of said main sheet, and container means carried by said main sheet adjacent to and inward of said auxiliary sheet, said main sheet being folded entirely over said container means to swing the other opposite edge of said main sheet into engagement beneath the inner edge of said auxiliary sheet for removable retention thereby.

2. A catch-cover package according to claim 1, said opposite edges and the fold of said main sheet being generally parallel.

3. A catch-cover package according to claim 1, said securing means comprising thermoplastic coating on the facing surface of at least one of said sheets and activated along the outer longitudinal edge margin of said auxiliary sheet.

4. A catch-cover package according to claim 1, said container means comprising a sandwich sheet in facing relation with said main sheet and having a deformation for receiving an article of contents, and a cover sheet over said sandwich sheet and secured to said main sheet to retain said sandwich sheet in position, said cover sheet being cut out to receive said deformation.

5. A catch-cover package according to claim 4, said main sheet being provided with a discharge opening `in alignment with said deformation, and a rupturable closure sheet extending across said deformation and discharge opening.

6. In the method of manufacturing a catch-cover package, the steps which comprise: providing a large sheet, providing a small sheet, arranging said small sheet in facing relation with and extending across a medial region of said large sheet, securing said small sheet Valong a longitudinally extend-ing medial region thereof to said large shee-t with the side edge portions of said small sheet free of said large sheet, severing said large and small sheets media-lly along the adhesively secured portion thereof to divide said sheets into a pair of relatively large cover sheets each having secured along one edge thereof a relatively small catch sheet, and folding each of said cover sheets to insert the opposite edge thereof beneath the respective catch sheet.

7. The method of manufacturing a catch-cover package according to claim 6, further characterized in securing articles of contents to each of said cover sheets before said severance.

8. The method of manufacturing a catch-cover package according to claim 6, further characterized in continuously Conveying said sheets along the direction of said severance during said arranging, securing and severing.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 5 Salsberg 206-4531 Baldwin 206-29 Volckening 206-42 6 Sylvester et a1 53--29 Volckening 229--76 Sweet 206-56 Hartman et a1 206-42 Hoeppner 5.3-29

THERON E. CONDON, Primary Examiner.

W. T. DIXSON, Assistant Examiner. 

1. A CATCH-COVER PACKAGE COMPRISING A RELATIVELY LARGE GENERALLY RECTANGULAR MAIN SHEET HAVING OPPOSITE EDGES, A RELATIVELY SMALL ELONGATED AUXILIARY SHEET EXTENDING ENTIRELY ALONG ONE OF SAID OPPOSITE EDGES IN FACING ENGAGEMENT WITH SAID MAIN SHEET, ADHESIVE MEANS ADHESIVELY SECURING THE OUTER LONGITUDINAL EDGE MARGIN OF SAID AUXILIARY SHEET TO SAID MAIN SHEET, THE INNER LONGITUDINAL EDGE OF SAID AUXILIARY SHEET BEING ENTIRELY FREE OF SAID MAIN SHEET, AND CONTAINER MEANS CARRIED BY SAID MAIN SHEET ADJACENT TO AN INWARD OF SID AUXILIARY SHEET, SAID MAIN SHEET BEING FOLDED ENTIRELY OVER SAID CONTAINER MEANS TO SWING THE OTHER OPPOSITE EDGE OF SAID MAIN SHEET INTO ENGAGEMENT BENEATH THE INNER EDGE OF SAID AUXILIARY SHEET FOR REMVOABLE RETENTION THEREBY. 